Admissions Requirements

All applications undergo a holistic review process whereby careful consideration is given to all the credentials presented by applicants. By utilizing this process, applicants’ academic record along with experiences and attributes are assessed for potential academic and clinical success.

US Citizen or US Permanent Resident

2.75 Overall GPA (preferred).

72 credit hours of prerequisite coursework credit hours.

PCAT is required. While 65th percentile composite PCAT score is preferred, we will consider applicants with lower scores that may have other strong academic indicators providing evidence of success. PCAT scores older than 3 years will NOT be accepted. Latest PCAT accepted for Fall 2015 is January 7, 2016 for regular decision and September 18, 2015 for early decision applicants.

A word about the PCAT: In order for your scores to be considered as part of our Early Decision program you MUST send us a copy of your unofficial PCAT test scores via email immediately following the exam on September 18, 2015. Be sure to email unofficial test scores to pharmdadmissions@health.usf.edu no later than 11:59 PM EST on September 18, 2015. Please ensure that the subject line reads "Early Decision September PCAT Test Scores." Should we not receive a copy of your unofficial test scores by the deadline we will use the PCAT test score on file. If no test scores are on file, then your file will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed as part of our Early Decision program.

For those applying regular decisions and taking the January PCAT, a copy of your unofficial test scores MUST be received by email no later than 11:59 PM EST on January 9, 2016. Please ensure the subject line reads, "January Unofficial PCAT Scores." Should we not receive a copy of your unofficial test scores by the deadline we will use the PCAT test score on file. If no test scores are on file, then your file will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.

Humanities and Arts AND/OR Behavioral and Social Sciences (1 course related to diversity and culture and/or social and ethical issues)

9

Total

72

Courses must be completed regardless of previous degrees earned.

Courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.

If accepted into the Class of 2019, missing prerequisites must be completed no later than July 17, 2015. Please plan in advance to ensure you take all missing prerequisites by the July 22, 2016 deadline.

General education prerequisite coursework must have been taken within the past 10 years, and science coursework must have been taken within the past 5 years. For example, if applying during the 2013 admissions cycle, courses taken prior to 2008 are outdated. All coursework must be taken at a 2 or 4-year accredited institution within the United States.

AP coursework is accepted with a score of 3 or higher, IB coursework is accepted with a score of 4 or higher. AP and/or IB scores can count towards fulfilling a prerequisite(s). If you want scores to count towards fulfilling a prerequisite(s), you MUST contact the College Board and have a copy of your official test score(s) sent directly to USF COP. Our school code is 7881.

Gordon rule courses will not meet the English prerequisite requirement; English courses must be taken with the English Department at or above the level of English Composition or English Literature (ESL courses will not be accepted).

Applicants who attend a college on the quarter system should multiply the number of credits by .66 for translation into semester hours. Round partial credits of .5 and above up to the next semester hour; credits at .4 and below are rounded down.

Outdated courswork? If your science and/or general education courses are outdated, you MAY be able to submit a waiver request if you meet the following conditions:

PCAT Composite score of 40 AND

Total GPA of 3.0 or greater AND

Have been continuously enrolled in school OR work in a field (i.e. science teacher) using the subject matter (i.e. chemistry) that is outdated.

If you do not meet these conditions, a waiver request CANNOT be submitted.

The link to the waiver request has been deactivated. It will reopen August 2015. Submission of a waiver request is not a guarantee that your request will be approved. Applicants are responsible for meeting prerequisite requirements. Applicants may be notified as late as the spring 2016 term if the waiver was approved or denied.

Applying

Early Decision and Regular Decision Applicants:Upon the opening of the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) 2015-2016 application portal, applicants must:

Submit an application to the College of Pharmacy through the PharmCAS (www.pharmcas.org) and remit the associated fee to PharmCAS.

Take the PCAT (www.pcatweb.info) and have official scores reported to PharmCAS (code 104).

EARLY DECISION APPLICANTS: The latest PCAT accepted for Early Decision is September 18, 2015.

A word about the PCAT: In order for your scores to be considered as part of our Early Decision program you MUST send us a copy of your unofficial PCAT test scores via email immediately following the exam on September 18, 2015. Be sure to email unofficial test scores to pharmdadmissions@health.usf.edu no later than 11:59 PM EST on September 18, 2015. Please ensure that the subject line reads "Early Decision September PCAT Test Scores." Should we not receive a copy of your unofficial test scores by the deadline we will use the PCAT test score on file. If no test scores are on file, then your file will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed as part of our Early Decision program.

For those applying regular decisions and taking the January PCAT, a copy of your unofficial test scores MUST be received by email no later than 11:59 PM EST on January 18, 2016. Please ensure the subject line reads, "January Unofficial PCAT Scores." Should we not receive a copy of your unofficial test scores by the deadline we will use the PCAT test score on file. If no test scores are on file, then your file will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.

Submit official copies of all college transcripts to PharmCAS. Do not send them to USF COP.

Request the submission of at least two (2) letters of recommendation on your behalf to PharmCAS. One letter must be from a science professor.

Electronically submit the USFCOP Supplemental Application and $30 non-refundable application fee. We are no longer accepting applications for the 2014-2015 admissions cycle. The link will be available August 2015. This application is due Sept. 8, 2015 for early decision applicants and Dec. 1, 2015 for regular decision applicants.

The Early Decision program is a binding option for applicants who have decided that a particular pharmacy degree program is their first choice and that they will enroll if accepted. As an Early Decision applicant, you can apply to only one pharmacy degree program.

Advantages:

Less stress by cutting the time spent waiting for a decision

Save the time and expense of submitting multiple applications

Gain more time, once accepted, to look for housing and otherwise preparing for starting the PharmD program

Reassess options and apply elsewhere if not accepted

Checking the Status of Your Application Materials:

Use the STATUS link on the PharmCAS application to verify receipt of your supplemental application and fee, PCAT score, and letters of reference. Please allow 7-10 business days before checking if your supplemental application and fee have been received.

Deadlines

Early decision: September 8, 2015. To learn more about the Early Decision program, visit PharmCAS. The admissions requirements and application process are the same as with regular decision. Application materials must be received (not postmarked) by this deadline.

Regular decision: December 1, 2015. Application materials must be received (not postmarked) by the respective deadline. The deadline has been extended due to changes in the application process at the national level.

Transfer Students

We are not currently accepting applications/inquiries from transfer students. Students currently enrolled in a school of pharmacy who wish to transer into our PharmD program should visit our website in February 2016.

USF COP will review transfer requests from pharmacy students from other ACPE-accredited pharmacy schools on a case-by-case basis. It is possible that spots will be available for the fall 2014 PY2 year. Transfer students must be in good academic standing, have legitimate reasons for seeking a transfer, and must come from a program in which the curriculum structure makes sense for placement into the USF COP curriculum. Individuals dismissed from a college of pharmacy for insufficient academic performance or unprofessional behavior will not be considered for admission.

Transfer students will NOT be accepted past the second professional year. If afforded an opportunity to enter the second professional year, you are agreeing to our curriculum as it stands and waiver of coursework will not be entertained.

Applicants will be expected to sign a waiver permitting USF COP access to their entire academic and conduct record from the previous pharmacy school.

Transfer students accepted into the program must complete a criminal background check and drug screen through Certiphi Screening prior to the start of the program. Any costs associated with the completion of the criminal background check and drug screen are the students' responsibility. In addition, transfer students must comply with all accepted student requirements.

Interview Days

Please note that USFCOP does not admit applicants on a "rolling" basis. Offers of admission will be made beginning in mid-February and will continue to be made in batches throughout the spring and summer months.

Interview No Show/Cancelation Policy. Professionalism is an integral part of our program. Candidates are expected to show up for interviews on the day and time they confirmed. Invited candidates are expected to accept or formally decline interview opportunities within the timeframe indicated in the electronic interview invitation. If a candidate fails to communicate the need to cancel or reschedule their interview day at least a week in advance, his/her unprofessional behavior will be communicated to PharmCAS.

Accepted Student Requirements

There are a number of items that accepted students must complete prior to the start of classes. For a listing of these items click here.

Tuition & Requirements

Tuition

$17,500 (estimated) per year. Please note this figure is an estimated cost of tuition only and does not include fees, the cost of books, supplies, room, board and other living expenses. When fees are included the estimated cost for in-state tuition is estimated at $18,175 and out of state at $35,920. Please contact Mrs. Robinson with the Financial Aid office at 813-974-5699 for further information.

InPHARMation Sessions

Pre-pharmacy students are encouraged to sign up for a session before meeting with an Admissions Advisor. Most admissions related questions can be answered by attending a session. These sessions are intended to provide prospective students with an overview of the PharmD program, admissions requirements, and application process. An optional campus tour will be provided at the end of the formal program.

**Please follow the registration form below to see a list of upcoming sessions, and to also register for them.**

To register, please fill out the session registration form. This link opens a new browser window. Please ensure that any popup blocking software is temporarily disabled. Once you have registered you will receive a confirmation, directions, and further information a week prior to the scheduled session.

Online Chat Sessions: Please check out chats and dates below!

General College of Pharmacy Chat - Have questions about applying? Want to learn more about the College of Pharmacy? Then this is the perfect chat for you!

July 31, 2015 10:00-11:00am

August 8, 2015 10:00-11:00am

August 27, 2015 6:00-7:00pm

PCAT Chat - Have concerns or questions about taking the PCAT? Chat with staff, students, and faculty as they answer questions about studying, preparing, and any questions you have about this exam.

August 11, 2015 10:00-11:00am

August 18, 2015 6:00-7:00pm

Registration is REQUIRED. To register click here. You can register the day of the chat session or days in advance. You must create a new account; select "Register as a Student." Should you experience technical difficulties during the chat session please do contact Wayne Fishell, CareerEco representative at virtualfairs@careereco.com and he can assist you.

Scheduling an Appointment with an Advisor

Walk-in appointments are available on Tuesdays from 8:30am to 11:30am and on Thursdays from 1:00pm to 4:00pm with Ms. Emily Kantrowitz and Ms. Kristen Slusser, USF Health Pre-admissions and Outreach Coordinator. Walk-ins appointments are only available during these times.

Scheduled appointments are available with Mr. Turkall, Pharmacy Admissions Advisor/Recruiter. Appointments must be scheduled online via eScheduler. Appointments are available on Wednesday afternoons.

Please note that advising sessions are not intended for us to review your transcript, evaluate how competitive you are as an applicant or where you may stand in the applicant pool. The process of reviewing applications and evaluating applicants is what occurs as part of our admissions process.

Before scheduling an appointment, be sure to review the USF COP admissions requirements and application process. Appointments must be scheduled online via eScheduler. You will be taken to the USF online appointment scheduler. Please enter your email address and select 'Submit.' Then enter your student information, select "College of Pharmacy" from the 'Area' drop down menu and indicate the reason for your appointment. You can either manually enter a date or use the calendar icon to select a date. After the date is selected the system will let you know if the Admissions Advisor is available on the date you entered. If she is available, you then must select a 30-minute session. If you encounter any problems with using e-Scheduler, please contact the Office of Admissions.

The College reserves the right to make changes in requirements for admission, curriculum, standards for advancement and graduation, tuition, fees, and rules and regulations. Please check back regularly to note any changes.